Business Profile: The Barber Shop
Name: Aidan Glass
Business Name: The Barber Shop
L: John Street, Omagh
T: 07871 056573
Can you describe your business?
A friendly, traditional Barber Shop located on John Street, Omagh providing top styles and trends for our customers. Making you feel comfortable.
Why did you start your own business?
I started out on my own due to lack of work in the construction game and after becoming redundant due to the recession. I decided to take my usual Saturday work in barbering and turn it into full time work, which later led to self-employment. I then established a barbers on John Street, which was offered to me from a friend.
What are the best things about running your own business?
I enjoy running my own business because it gets me up and at it six days a week. A target to aim for and the rewarding feeling of meeting customers, making friends and having the craic makes my job feel less like work and seem more like a fun activity. I enjoy working with others in my shop and I like giving them the opportunity to enjoy the trade as much as I do.
What are the main challenges facing the business?
The main challenges facing my business is having to keep up to date with current haircuts. Saturday work would be a challenge also, if you are used to a full weekend off! Being the main income day, you are kept on your toes on Saturdays with no time to rest. Another challenge is trying to remember everyone’s name. Embarrassing at times!
What advice would you give to someone starting a business?
If you have any notion of starting a business, go-ahead and try it out. But think carefully about it first and do research and have a good business plan drawn up to see if it’s do-able or not. Talk to people who can help. For example check out the ‘Go For It’ programme and the Princes Trust. I highly recommend both from personal experience. It doesn’t happen overnight. Patience and lots of hours at work and at home are required to try and make a business successful.
Can you describe your experience of running a business in three words or less?
Extremely rewarding.
